Our Organization
Lynn Stevens
Lynn Stevens, artistic director, conductor and co-founder of the Sacramento Children’s Chorus, has more than thirty years experience in teaching choral music to children. Ms. Stevens received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Sacramento. It was during her masters program that Ms. Stevens co-founded the Sacramento Children’s Chorus with Dr. Donald Kendrick, 16 years ago.
Ms. Stevens conducts the SCC Chorale and Choraliers, the high school choirs; Cantoris, the advanced touring choir; and Chorus, the intermediate choir. Ms. Stevens is also on the faculty of the music department at CSUS teaching choral conducting. She has led SCC touring choirs internationally in Sweden, Norway, British Columbia, England, France, Czech Republic and Hungary, and nationally in Honolulu, Los Angeles, Eugene OR, and New York City (Carnegie Hall). Also to her list of credits, Ms. Stevens enjoyed a performing career after college when she sang professionally and traveled internationally with the Ray Conniff Singers, The Norman Luboff Choir, and with The Carpenters.
Julie Adams
Julie Adams, director of Cantate, is an accomplished conductor with a passion for using music to make a positive difference in our communities. Equally comfortable with classical and jazz styles, children and adults, Ms. Adams has conducted and performed with large choral ensembles, chamber choirs and jazz ensembles throughout her career. She received her Bachelor of Music in Choral/Vocal Music from California State University, Long Beach in 1985 and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Sacramento in 1996.
Ms. Adams began her teaching career at American River College, and for the past nine years has served on the music faculty at California State University, Sacramento. She has presented choirs and workshops to the American Choral Directors Association and the California Music Educators Association, and has served as judge, clinician and guest conductor for many festivals of all ages regionally and statewide. RSVP, the a cappella ensemble she founded, begins its ninth season presenting thought provoking, uplifting, and entertaining concerts while supporting local organizations with their music. Ms. Adams was a 2005 National Philanthropy Day Distinguished Honoree for her work with RSVP.
Helen Mendenhall
Helen Mendenhall, principal accompanist, has been with SCC since the year after its founding. Ms. Mendenhall performs frequently as a soloist, and is a sought after accompanist at the piano, organ and continuo for a wide variety of soloists and ensembles. She received a Bachelor of Science in Music from George Fox University and a Master of Arts from California State University, Chico. Ms. Mendenhall taught music in public schools for more than ten years and has held many church music positions including organist/pianist for Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Sacramento and choir director at Red Bluff Presbyterian Church In addition to her responsibilities with the SCC, Ms. Mendenhall teaches piano and organ in her private studio. Ms Mendenhall also teaches the new SCC program, KinderChorus.
Ryan Padilla Lee
Ryan Padilla Lee, accompanist, has previously worked at several high schools in the Roseville area (Granite Bay, Oakmont, Woodcreek) as a choir accompanist and instructional aide. Among other jobs, he also worked for the Sacramento Youth Symphony for three years as an orchestra manager and office aide. Mr. Padilla Lee also teaches at Granite Bay High School and currently works at Immaculate Conception Church in Sacramento as the choir accompanist.
A native of Vallejo, Mr. Padilla Lee has been involved in music since the age of eight, when he began taking piano lessons. He won 1st Place two years in a row at the Solano MTA Competition, was a finalist at the Glenn Miller Instrumental Competition in Iowa, and received several other awards and scholarships. Outside of solo performance, Mr. Padilla Lee has participated, as a pianist or as a conductor, in more than a dozen musicals.
Executive and Administrative Staff
Board of Directors
Lynn Stevens Lynn Stevens, artistic director, conductor and co-founder of the Sacramento Children’s Chorus, has more than thirty years experience in teaching choral music to children. Ms. Stevens received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Sacramento. It was during her masters program that Ms. Stevens co-founded the Sacramento Children’s Chorus with Dr. Donald Kendrick, 16 years ago.
Ms. Stevens conducts the SCC Chorale and Choraliers, the high school choirs; Cantoris, the advanced touring choir; and Chorus, the intermediate choir. Ms. Stevens is also on the faculty of the music department at CSUS teaching choral conducting. She has led SCC touring choirs internationally in Sweden, Norway, British Columbia, England, France, Czech Republic and Hungary, and nationally in Honolulu, Los Angeles, Eugene OR, and New York City (Carnegie Hall). Also to her list of credits, Ms. Stevens enjoyed a performing career after college when she sang professionally and traveled internationally with the Ray Conniff Singers, The Norman Luboff Choir, and with The Carpenters.
Julie Adams Julie Adams, director of Cantate, is an accomplished conductor with a passion for using music to make a positive difference in our communities. Equally comfortable with classical and jazz styles, children and adults, Ms. Adams has conducted and performed with large choral ensembles, chamber choirs and jazz ensembles throughout her career. She received her Bachelor of Music in Choral/Vocal Music from California State University, Long Beach in 1985 and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from California State University, Sacramento in 1996.
Ms. Adams began her teaching career at American River College, and for the past nine years has served on the music faculty at California State University, Sacramento. She has presented choirs and workshops to the American Choral Directors Association and the California Music Educators Association, and has served as judge, clinician and guest conductor for many festivals of all ages regionally and statewide. RSVP, the a cappella ensemble she founded, begins its ninth season presenting thought provoking, uplifting, and entertaining concerts while supporting local organizations with their music. Ms. Adams was a 2005 National Philanthropy Day Distinguished Honoree for her work with RSVP.
Helen Mendenhall Helen Mendenhall, principal accompanist, has been with SCC since the year after its founding. Ms. Mendenhall performs frequently as a soloist, and is a sought after accompanist at the piano, organ and continuo for a wide variety of soloists and ensembles. She received a Bachelor of Science in Music from George Fox University and a Master of Arts from California State University, Chico. Ms. Mendenhall taught music in public schools for more than ten years and has held many church music positions including organist/pianist for Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Sacramento and choir director at Red Bluff Presbyterian Church In addition to her responsibilities with the SCC, Ms. Mendenhall teaches piano and organ in her private studio. Ms Mendenhall also teaches the new SCC program, KinderChorus.
Ryan Padilla Lee Ryan Padilla Lee, accompanist, has previously worked at several high schools in the Roseville area (Granite Bay, Oakmont, Woodcreek) as a choir accompanist and instructional aide. Among other jobs, he also worked for the Sacramento Youth Symphony for three years as an orchestra manager and office aide. Mr. Padilla Lee also teaches at Granite Bay High School and currently works at Immaculate Conception Church in Sacramento as the choir accompanist.
A native of Vallejo, Mr. Padilla Lee has been involved in music since the age of eight, when he began taking piano lessons. He won 1st Place two years in a row at the Solano MTA Competition, was a finalist at the Glenn Miller Instrumental Competition in Iowa, and received several other awards and scholarships. Outside of solo performance, Mr. Padilla Lee has participated, as a pianist or as a conductor, in more than a dozen musicals.
Executive and Administrative Staff
Daphne Tom Quist, Executive Director
Beth Steele, Marketing and Development Assistant
Board of Directors
James Wiezel, President
Ann Siprelle, Vice President
Monica Craggs, Secretary
Jim Keddy, Treasurer
Nicole Baer
Ruanne Dozier
Robert Johnson
Carol Malinowski
Nancy Miller
Steve Tarbay
William Warne
